BROCKHOLES

The united open air service was held in the recreation ground and led by the Rev Liam Beadle. Helen Dickinson read the lesson. The service was attended by members of St George’s Church and Brockholes Methodist Church. The hymns were accompanied by Vintage Brass conducted by Noel Clark. An offering was taken for the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

HEPWORTH

Newly-ordained priest, the Reverend Ailsa Brooke, conducted the parish Eucharist service at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday morning. The reader was Richard Southam, prayers were led by Louise Vigor and the organist was Jane Robertson. In the reading of the notices, the congregation were reminded of the 150th Anniversary Celebrations this coming weekend with a special Anniversary Service at 9.15am, followed by The Big Birthday Garden Party in the church grounds between 1pm and 5pm. There will be refreshments, BBQ, stalls, games, music and lots more to make it a special birthday party.

HOLMBRIDGE

The Little Gang summer service for pre-school children and their parents was held at St David’s Church and led by Ian Gold and Margaret Cullen. Refreshments were provided by Carolyn Burley and Margaret Tupling.

Midweek holy communion at St David’s Church was led by the Rev Nick Heaton. Lessons were read by Ian Gold. Monkey Business, the free lunch and the Over 60s Club met. Friday evening prayers were led by Carolyn Burley.

The Worship Together service at St David’s Church was conducted by the Rev Nick Heaton. The lesson was read by Carole Heaton and intercessions were led by Carolyn Burley. Music was provided by the newly-formed music group and the pianist was Eddie Purcell.

On Sunday afternoon, a farewell service was held for Mike Smithers, team missioner for the past five years. The service was led by the Rev Sean Robertshaw and lessons were read by Ian Gold and Ian Macdonald. Intercessions were led by the Rev Keith Griffin, who also administered the chalice with the Rev Nick Heaton. The organist was Jean Chadwick. Following the service, refreshments were served in the parish hall.

HOLMFIRTH

On Sunday, June 30, Methodist morning worship was led by Keith Kitson, assisted by Sally Robinson’s worship team. Keith spoke on what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The service closed with the benediction “Go Peaceful” by Paul Field, sung by the choir. Messy Church took place on Friday, July 5 at 3.45pm.

MELTHAM

Meltham WI met on Tuesday July 2 when president Barbara Sheard took the meeting. The tea ladies were Chris Reeves and Ros Wimpenny. Speaker for the evening was Allen Stuttard and he gave an interesting talk about his life when he did his National Service in 1952. This took him overseas where he was involved in active service. The vote of thanks was proposed by Jean Howard. The raffle, organised by Margaret Booth, was won by Ros Wimpenny.

On Sunday, July 7, people from all the Meltham Churches and surrounding areas gathered in St Bartholomew’s Church for a united act of worship. Rev Maureen Weaving led the service and the lessons were read by Norman Webb and Pat Beastow. The choir sang an anthem and children read some recollections of those who had been school children themselves in the 1940s. This service was part of Meltham Memories Weekend, and many of the congregation were dressed in 1940s costumes and uniforms. Coffee was served in the church hall following the service.

SCHOLES

On Sunday June 30 the door steward Lise Newsome welcomed everyone to the Outdoor Service led by Minister Rev Tim Moore. The service was interactive with puppets and painting for the theme of the Vine and the branches. This followed on from the Bible reading John 15 verses 1-5 and 9-12 from Peter Lockwood . Coffee and biscuits was served after the service

UPPERTHONG

The Tuesday morning prayer breakfast was held at the Hopkins’ home. Holy communion on Thursday at St John’s Church was led by the Rev Nick Heaton, who was also the celebrant. Lunch followed in the meeting room.

Early communion on Sunday was conducted by the Rev Di Ellerton, who also led the all-age family worship service. Music was provided by the Drummond family. Refreshments were served after the main morning service by Liz Stead.

On Sunday afternoon, members of St John’s Church attended the farewell service at Holmbridge for Church Army captain Mike Smithers, who after five years’ service in the Holme Valley team is leaving to move to Ashford, Kent.

WILSHAW

Members of St Mary’s Church family met outside church at 2pm last Sunday to “beat the bounds of the parish” as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations. This is an old tradition where church members walk around the parish boundary saying a short prayer at various points along the way. Members walked part of the old parish boundary of St Mary’s, and part of the boundary of the parish of Christ the King Meltham to which they now belong. Prayers were said for the people who live and work there, the schools, voluntary organisations, sports clubs, shops, factories, churches and so on and all thanked God for the glorious countryside they live in. After walking five miles in very sunny and hot conditions, the soup and a cup of tea served in the Sunday School were very welcome.

WOOLDALE

The service on Sunday at the Methodist Free Church was led by Robert Booth. His readings were taken from the Gospel of Luke and John. In his sermon he talked about walking the road together and helping each other along life’s path, saying that we all bring something different to the church but together we use our strengths and weaknesses, to make the church what it is. The pianist was Sylvia Jordan.

The Sunday School Anniversary service at the Methodist Church was led by Marina Woodhead. Lessons were read by Trevor Jones and Derek Greenwood and the organist was Nigel Morris. Refreshments were served. Next Sunday’s service will be led by Steven Harvey.